of president obama and not in the eight years of george bush. that's not exactly a success story either. and our stature around the world is falling apart. bill: ebony? >> well, i would disagree with that respectfully, lars, in terms of stature. that old you referenced, bill, that's american perception. if we talk about international perception of america's standing, i think it vastly differs. we have to look no further than the international response to the horrible thicks going on in -- things going on in the philippines. bill: but she canically, ebony, to rebuild confidence and trust in the united states, do people trust the united states more now than they did five years ago? do they have confidence -- >> bill, i would say -- bill: -- now more than they did five years ago? >> will, i would say that's the area we need to improvepk we cannot ignore the issue of security, gentlemen, and that is a part of it. the security part, i think, is improving. we still do need to work on trustworthiness, i do believe that. ur enemies don't fear us anymor